Yankees sign Eric Milton to minor-league deal

Gernal manager Brian Cashman confirmed the Yankees have signed lefty Eric Milton to a minor-league contract.

Milton, who turns 33 next month, is still recovering from "Tommy John" surgery. He threw on flat ground today in Tampa, Fla., and is at least six weeks away from pitching in games.

"If he does anything to help us this year, that's fine," Cashman said. "We're just going to have a chance to get an advance look (for 2009)."

Milton was the Yankees' No. 1 draft pick in 1996 but they traded him to Minnesota in February 1998 as part of a package for Chuck Knoblauch. Milton has an 87-84 career record and 5.01 ERA for Minnesota, Philadelphia and Cincinnati.

The Yankees have also worked out but not signed right-hander Victor Zambrano.